Monday, June 11, 2012

GTAR Weekly Facts – June 11, 2012


NOTICES:                                                                             
May 2012 Home Sales Stats are Now Available
June 23
Opening the Door to Homeownership – The 2012 TAFHP Homeownership Event
June is Homeownership Month! The Tulsa Area Fair Housing Partnership is hosting an informative event to give new and potential buyers the tools they need to purchase a home. This event will take place on Saturday, June 23, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Tulsa Housing Authority located at 415 E. Independence Street. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. Speakers from the lending/banking and real estate industries will be on hand to present; other topics will include fair housing laws, inspections, and home warranties. During the event, vendors will be available to answer questions about the path to homeownership. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Heather Martin at 918-581-5907 or email heather.martin2@tulsahousing.org. (GTAR is a member of the Tulsa Fair Housing Partnership.)
June 28

RSVP Today for Experience Art in Tulsa! Discover one of Tulsa’s hidden gems at The Gilcrease Museum. Guided tours will begin at 3:00 p.m. Chef Kurt Fitchenberg will be preparing a special dinner buffet. Dinner and cash bar will start at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per person, and includes admission to the museum, dinner, and 10 free guest passes to the Museuma $100 value! Not only will you enjoy an afternoon of art and delicious food, but you will receive guest passes to give to clients and prospects as a thank you. (You must attend the event to receive the free guest passes; only GTAR members are eligible to receive the passes.) Register online at tulsarealtors.com; from the Main Menu, click on Member Resources tab, then GTAR Events. Deadline to register is June 22! If you have any questions, please call Jennifer Smith at 918-663-7500 or email jsmith@tulsarealtors.com.


Want to Win a GTAR Class Pass? During the month of June GTAR/NORES will be having a contest! This contest is for GTAR members—brokers, associates, and assistants! Rules: “Like” our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/gtarnores), and make a post stating who referred you (Example: Joe Bob referred me!). The person with the most referrals will win a GTAR Class Pass ($75 value)!  The winner will be announced July 1. Don’t know what a GTAR Class Pass is? You will be able to take any regular ($15 class) GTAR class for FREE for the remainder of 2012!


Backpacks for Kids Update
$8,553.91=Collected; $17,500=2012 Goal. The deadline to reach our goal is June 30! Can you help? In the last six years, GTAR’s Community Relations Committee, with your support, has raised $74,184, and given more than 1,500 backpacks to children in need. This year is a challenging one. We are very aware of the challenges in our community right now and the financial demands that face everyone.  We are grateful to everyone who has already donated, and grateful in advance for any donation made to this effort—no donation is too small, and all donations are tax deductible! For more information and a donation form, visit www.BPJustforMe.com


OAR REALTOR® of the Year Nominations Now Being Accepted
The OAR member selected for this incredible honor will be announced and recognized by his/her peers at the REALTOR® Celebration Thursday, October 18, 2012, at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center in Tulsa. GTAR has the opportunity to nominate a REALTOR® member deserving of such a special honor; please contact Janie Bays at 918-663-7500 or jbays@tulsarealtor.com for nomination form and information.
NAR's 'Moving Pictures' Ad Debuts
The national airing of NAR's new Public Advocacy Campaign commercial, "Moving Pictures," started last week. With a new TV and radio spot, NAR is reaching consumers with positive messages about the benefits of homeownership to children, families and communities. Watch the video.
EDUCATION & EVENTS:
June 19-20
Broker in Charge Course
If your license type is a Broker Manager (BM), Proprietor Broker (BP), or Branch Broker (BB), even if only for ONE day during that license term, AND your real estate license expires on or after June 30, 2012, then you are required to complete an approved 15-hour Broker in Charge (BIC) class PLUS an additional 6 hours of required subject matter in at least two core courses (BRA, PSC, FHR or HOT) prior to your license renewal. Whether you are a one-person office or a gazillion-person office, residential or commercialthis new requirement applies to you! 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; cost is $90; class size is limited to 15. For more information and to register, go to tulsarealtors.com. The next Broker in Charge Course won’t be until August 22-23.
June 21
Don’t Be Listless: The Listing Presentation
Set yourself apart and get the listing! Realize the necessity to be prepared for the listing appointment with a comprehensive CMA, Absorption Study, and marketing plan, as well as the tools to overcome any objection, answer any questions regarding the area sales, and help the seller prepare for listing and sell their home. 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. with Lori Morgan; OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE credit. For more information and to register, go to tulsarealtors.com. Class Pass Holders: Register by emailing education@tulsarealtors.com or calling 918-663-7500.
June 21
Working with Buyers: A Planned Approach
Be Prepared for the Buyer Presentation! Have the tools to overcome any objection and answer any questions regarding area sales, gain buyer loyalty and trust, and educate the buyer by explaining what can be expected during the home buying process, and problems that could arise. Understand the importance of keeping yourself (the real estate professional) on task, as well as the buyer to have a good buying experience and smooth closing.1:00-4:00 p.m. with Lori Morgan; OREC approved for 3 hours elective CE. For more information and to register, go to tulsarealtors.com. Class Pass Holders: Register by emailing education@tulsarealtors.com or calling 918-663-7500.
June 28
Understand Mechanics of Reverse Mortgages
(Source: NAR) Real estate professionals can expect to see more homes on the market in which the owners have a reserve mortgage that will need to be paid off upon sale. In a REALTOR® Magazine webinar with the National Reserve Mortgage Lenders Association, loan experts will talk about any impact these mortgages have on buying and selling considerations. The FREE webinar is Thursday, June 28, at 2 p.m. Central Time.  Click on the following link to register: registration link
MLS NOTES:
Fusion Update
A full set of financial reports are now available in Fusion. Just click on Home, Financials, and the report you need. The financial reports from Fusion are just like your reports from Tempo. The next Fusion class is Tuesday, June 12, 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the GTAR Training Center; register online at tulsarealtors.com.
GOVERNMENT ISSUES/LEGAL:
Congress Extends Flood Insurance
On May 30, 2012, the House of Representatives passed a 60-day extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This temporary extension enables the Senate to act on the NAR-supported 5-year reauthorization and reform bill this June. Get more information on the extension and the long-term future of the NFIP.
Regulator Slows Down on QM Rule
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPR) is delaying publication of its final "qualified mortgage" rule, which will set standards for lenders to ensure borrowers have the ability to repay mortgage loans they've been given. Release of the rule was expected late this summer, but the agency said it's reopening the process for comment because it wants the public to look at new data that's pertinent to the proposed "ability to repay" standards. Learn more.
NAR Backs Program to Incentivize Counseling
NAR sent a letter to Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) supporting the "Homeownership Preservation Education Act of 2012," which would direct FHA to create a pilot program that would provide first-time home buyers with an opportunity to reduce their insurance premiums by participating in home ownership counseling. The pilot program would be limited to one-year and FHA would be required to report to Congress on the program's progress.
INFORMATION TO USE:
Last Days to Enjoy Lenovo Employee Prices
Take advantage of the final days of great savings on REALTOR Benefits® Program Partner Lenovo's entire line, including the award-winning ThinkPad® and IdeaPad® notebooks and all computing accessories. Plus, receive free shipping on all Internet orders. Hurry, offer ends June 18. Call (800) 426-7235, ext. 3887, or visit REALTOR.org today!
Free Vacation-Home Info for Your Clients
You can ensure your clients' vacation home is truly a relaxing getaway by branding and hand-delivering free info from the REALTOR® Content Resource on opening and closing a vacation home. That's not members' only option. You can also add that info—or all five free articles in the "Ensure Your Vacation Home is Relaxing" package—to your e-newsletter, website, blog, Twitter, or Facebook, or email. Free to members 24/7/365 at the REALTOR® Content Resource are nearly 1,000 home listing, selling, and ownership articles.
New in the REALTOR.org Library
 
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS:
Comments on the following REALTOR® applicants should be submitted by REALTOR® members to the Membership Committee, c/o GTAR, PO Box 470603, Tulsa, OK 74147.
MLS Waiver:
Marsha Ann Lloyd, associated with Bryan Properties, Inc. (First Publication)


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